Wilder sports facility offers training for teams, adults

Next Level Academy is a sports training, fitness and practice facility that has opened in the heart of Wilder at 419 Licking Pike, just north of Moock Road. The 20,000-square-foot facility offers training to student athletes, practice space for teams, and a variety of fitness programs for adults. This new facility is designed to help its members take their fitness and sports performance to the next level.

Next Level Academy features four batting cages, two basketball courts, three volleyball courts, a fitness area, a speed training area, and a state-of-the-art golf simulator. Next Level is also the new home to the Northern Kentucky Junior Volleyball club.

Programs at Next Level will be offered in all sports and guided by sports specific experts. Former Cincinnati Red Dave Collins is leading the baseball instruction programs. Nancy Winstel, the former NKU coach, has signed on to pilot the basketball program. Lindsay Bramhall, the current Thomas More College softball coach, will offer pitching and hitting clinics. The courts, batting cages and fitness areas are divided by a netting system which allows for individual and team practice areas

Other programs will include speed and strength training, hitting and fitness boot camps and circuit training. The most unique feature at Next Level is the golf simulator. You can play a round of golf at Pebble Beach, go to the driving range to work on your swing, or just practice your putting all within the simulator room.

Next Level will be starting a boys and girls recreational basketball league for fifth- through ninth-graders at the end of February. Signups are now available on ist website at nextlevelnky.com